Mark Phelps excited to get Drake season underway

The Mark Phelps era at Drake begins on Saturday night when the Bulldogs open the regular season at home against Butler. Phelps took over after Keno Davis left for Providence following Drake’s record breaking 28-5 season. He says it has been both a short and a long six and a half months, and most of his emotion is excitement.

Phelps says the Bulldogs are confident but realize last season is in the past. He says they approach each practice and opponent with a great respect and demeanor that is a good mix of confidence and humility.

Most teams prefer to open the season against a so-called "cupcake" opponent but Drake will not get that chance. Phelps says they will find out more about themselves by playing Butler and know it’s a game of great interest to both programs. This is a rematch of a heart-stopping Bracket Busters contest won by Drake last season and while Butler lost several starters off that team Phelps says the style will be similar.

He says Butler has a certain culture about their program that they continue.